Bennett/Berlin

Tony Bennett released this jazzy jaunt through the Irving Berlin songbook in 1987, before his late-life commercial rebirth, making it a neglected gem that stands up to his all-time best platters. Joining Tony and Ralph Sharon's trio is tenor sax legend Dexter Gordon, trumpet virtuoso Dizzy Gillespie and a reborn George Benson (who offers stellar work on "Cheek to Cheek"). The ending reading of "White Christmas" with Dexter Gordon's sax accompaniment may be the warmest ever recorded (apologies to Bing Crosby).